A couple of days later as the four sat at breakfast talking Hermione was startled when an owl dropped a letter in front of her. Hermione's heart jumped when she saw that the letter was adorned with her mothers handwriting.
"It's from mum and dad."
She said rather solemnly towards Ron.
"Well open it... Read it."
He sounded rather overexcited. She peeled it open and began to read.
Hermione dear,
Thankyou for your letter. We are both quite fine although we're sorry to read that you don't want to spend Christmas at home with us, we do so miss you after not seeing you for a whole year. The news about yourself and Ron was rather a shock I must say. We are thrilled for you of course dear and it was to be expected at some point I suppose. The way you talked of him in nearly every one of your letters was quite a giveaway.
We would love to have you here with us and to say that we are not thrilled with the idea of you staying in a house filled with men would definatley be an understatement but... We do realise however that after everything Ron and yourself have been through that you need this time to be together so you have our permission. Just make sure that the sleeping arrangements are kept as you said they would be, with separate rooms. Needless to say your father wasn't so enamoured with it but I think I've managed to talk him round and he seems just as happy as I am. By the way I know how boy's can be but try not to fight too often. Life is too short, so enjoy each other while you are young and make sure you appreciate each other too. Oh Hermione, I'm so pleased for you. There I was worried that you might have trouble finding friends at Hogwarts and here it is you have a whole bunch and a boyfriend too.
Anyway we have decided at the last minute (after receiving your letter of course) to spend Christmas away, were not quite sure where but were thinking somewhere warm. That will give us something to occupy our minds instead of fretting about you. Well... we already know you'll be alright, you are a Granger after all and we both know you take after your father, but just so you know parents never stop worrying about their children no matter how old they get.
Ok darling, we will send our gifts to you and we hope you have a wonderful Christmas. Send on kind regards to everyone at the Burrow.
Lots of love,
Mum and Dad.
She felt guilty that she wasn't spending Christmas with them but as soon as she thought of Ron she forgot the guilt straight away and on the Friday that they were due to leave Hogwarts for the holidays Ron and Hermione were sat cross legged facing one another, talking on the floor as the couch had been previously occupied. They were both packed and waiting for Ron's mum and dad to come and fetch them. Her hands were resting in his lap and he was caressing them softly from the inside of her wrists to her finger tips. The sensation of his touch coursed through her like lightning, igniting all her nerve endings till her whole body tingled with euphoria.
"I don't know why we can't floo back by ourselves, it's not like we've never done it before."
Ron grumbled intertwining their fingers.
"I know Ron but you know your mum, she worries terribly. Remember when she scolded you last time for going ahead without them."
"Yeah, how could I forget that."
He chuckled a little at the memory before Ginny suddenly appeared through the portrait hole calling them.
"Come on guy's, time to go!"
Then was gone as quickly as she had come.
Ron let go of Hermione's hands and stood up, smiling down at her and took hold of her outstretched arms, pulling her up too. They both smiled and stood staring at one another for a few moments before Ron spoke.
"You know, I don't think I've ever felt this truly happy before. (he ran the back of his fingers across her cheek) Like even when I'm not with you, I'm still walking around grinning like an idiot and I can't stop thinking about you. Just knowing that you're around somewhere, being so... Smart and kind and lovely, like always. (Hermione blushed a little at his words) It just makes my day and I keep wondering what your up to and wether your thinking about me and when I'm going to see you next. (his voice seemed to take on a deep sensual quality all on it's own, causing Hermione to shiver) Then when were together again I can't stop myself from wanting to kiss you and hold you and... Bloody Merlin your just so beautiful and precious and... Blimey. (He placed a kiss to her cheek then moved to her neck as he said these words) Then we have to part again and it's horrible cause every part of me misses you and all I wanna do is find you and be with you and talk to you. Then I dream about you at night when I'm asleep and..."
He was cut off from his heartfelt ramblings as Hermione bought his lips to hers and kissed him. The kiss was gentle but passionate and had both of their heart's fluttering out of control.
"What was that for?"
He asked in breathless surprise when they broke apart.
"Because I've never met anyone as sweet and amazing as you. I keep wondering how I got so lucky."
She said staring lovingly at him. Their foreheads rested together and they were smiling lovingly, gently rubbing their noses together before Ron replied;
"Funny... I keep thinking the same thing."
His smile grew into a wide grin as he moved his lips down, capturing hers again. Hermione melted into him once more as his sensuous movements caused her brain to throw all caution to the wind. It perplexed Hermione how Ron could get her to completely give herself over to him with a simple kiss, or even when he just stared at her with that deep, smoldering gaze that he seemed to reserve only for her, she found herself lost in his eyes, as though he were mentally controlling her. She couldn't understand it. Before when they were just friends he had nothing over her, no say in how she went about her business or lived her life but now, since their getting together it was as though she had given Ron permission to do with her mind as he saw fit and it was unfamiliar and entirely baffling... But she loved it. As they heard a shout from the hallway for students to hurry up they both groaned and drew back.
Ron left another short kiss on Hermione's lips before pulling her in for one more doting hug. She sighed happily as Ron tightened his arm's around her, keeping her safe in his strong embrace. She rested her ear flat against his chest and closed her eyes, breathing in Ron's familiar scent. The smell of freshly laundered clothes and a hint of musky cologne igniting all her senses.
They both drew back at the same time, each missing the others body heat and began walking through the corridors with their trunks, hand in hand. Once they stepped outside, they spotted the rest of Ron's family almost straight away and started to walk toward them, talking as they went.
"So you know it's our first Christmas as a couple."
Ron said as though asking.
"Yes Ron I do, otherwise why are we holding hands and why did I owl my parents about staying with you."
She joked.
"Haha yes very funny."
He paused looking more scared the closer they got to them.
"Ron don't worry I've stayed at your house before, it will be fine."
"Yeah but not as my girlfriend, you don't know my relatives as well as I do. Especially Fred and George. Oh Merlin... I just remembered Fred and George! Listen if at any point you want to run back to your house I fully understand."
He was still holding her hand and looked more pale than usual.
"Don't be silly Ron I'm not going to run. I know your family too and yeah your brothers are kind of a nightmare sometimes but we can handle them."
"What do you mean sometimes... they're always a nightmare! This is going to be perfect for them now they have new ammunition. They're going to make our lives a living hell! You know that right? Hell Hermione... Hell!"
He was talking rushed and hysterical sort of way.
"Language Ronald! (she scolded) now for heaven sakes calm down before you give yourself a heart attack. Look I have been a bit apprehensive myself at the thought of this but I realised when reading my parents letter that I was worrying over nothing. I mean it's just your family, the people I know and see all the time. They probably knew this would happen just as much as we did. As long as we know that the only thing that really matters is that we are together and happy then nothing can hurt us. Like my mum said, life is too short... So lets just turn, carry on walking and go spend a great Christmas with your family, alright?"
"Alright."
Ron agreed as he took a deep, calming breath and started towards his family again.
:X:
Ron, Hermione, Harry and the rest of the Weasley family all flooed back to the burrow, each one landing with a small crash in the large fireplace. First Molly followed by all the children then Arthur bringing up the rear. Hermione was the second from last to come through and as she landed lost her footing and stumbled forward. Luckily Ron was waiting at the other end and caught her as she fell forward and landed straight into his arm's. He righted her to a standing position so that their faces were just inches apart, the closeness clouding both their visions and she said slightly out of breath;
"Thankyou Ron."
"Your welcome love... I would never let you fall."
He replied, wiping soot from her chin with his thumb. They stood staring at each other, Ron still with his hand to her face. Their expressions were happy but intense, a look that is simple but powerful and speaks a thousand words without uttering a single thing. They were totally besotted and both closed the small gap between them for a chaste yet heartfelt kiss before their lips separated and they embraced each other tightly, completely forgetting that Harry and the rest of the Weasley's were watching on in silence.
They were all smiling in unison at the couple, finally getting to witness the moment they had seen coming for many years. Their happiness was infectious, Just looking at them made your heart swell and whenever you saw them together you couldn't help but feel everything was going to be okay somehow, as though for once all things made perfect sense. Their love for each other seemed to radiate off of them like the warmth of the sun and filled every corner of every room and with it filled the heart's of all who knew them. It was the moments like this that Harry felt the most unashamed of witnessing.
Their lingering touches and soft voices were beautifully intimate and the quite moments of their love evoked much of his own passion he thought he had lost. As he watched he felt a pang of sadness run through him, knowing that they were no longer just three best friends, but were now one couple with one mutual best friend. He was now in awe of them, how they had over come all the bad times, all the arguments and upset, all the tears, the wasted moments, the heartache. How they had seen past each others mistakes and faults and yet loved each other as ardently as a couple fifty years older. They had emerged from every ordeal, together and undaunted and he could only hope to have a connection half as powerful with Ginny as Ron did with Hermione.
:X:
Ron heard his bedroom door fly open and he looked up, finding a rather spirited and tenacious looking Hermione standing there. Without saying a word she used one had to throw the door shut behind her and walked straight over to where Ron was sat on his bed, grabbed the front of his t-shirt and pulled him in close, kissing him hard on the lips. He was a little taken aback at first but quickly reciprocated, standing from the bed to get a better angle.
He enveloped her in his strong arms and drew her into his chest, deepening the kiss, battling his tongue with hers. Her arms were firmly slung round his neck at this point with her fingers tied up in his carrot coloured hair. As their desire intensified he snaked his hands around and under the backs of her thighs and lifted her up, turning them round to sit her on top of the old wooden desk next to his bed. Moving his hands to her bum he drew her to the edge of the table before pressing himself into the gap. As they both gasped and moaned at the contact his hands came round to slowly caress the tops of her thighs as he leaned in and attacked her willing lips once more. He squeezed her legs as he felt her arms move up and link around his shoulders, soothing his ever relaxing muscles with her soft hands.
"Ummmmm... You got good hands love."
He spoke in between kisses, his voice deep and throaty and at his words Hermione hummed into his mouth, causing him to pull her even closer. After several long, heated minutes of pure, lust filled kissing Hermione pulled back suddenly, willing herself to have some self control. After a moment of attempting to catch his breath Ron seem to find his voice again and said;
"Blimey Hermione... You know how to get a guy going don't you?"
He chuckled, still trying to focus his mind after the abrupt halt on their make out session.
"Ron... I'm so sorry, I don't know what came over me. I was walking down the hallway and I just had to see you and when you smiled up at me I just... I lost myself. I'm sorry..."
She trailed off sounding a little self pitying and dropped her arms from around his neck, anxiously caressing his that were locked round her waist.
"Don't be sorry Hermione, I was missing you too and I was planning to come find you but I guessed you'd probably be along any moment anyway so... Well then you burst through the door and that was that."
As he said this he pushed both of his hands back into her hair, flattening her frizzy curls momentarily till they bounced right back as he stood in the same position he was before, pressed right up against her.
"Ron I don't understand myself, every minute I'm with you I want you more and more as though nothing is ever close enough and then when your gone, I crave you like I have to find you at that very moment or else I will cease to exist. How can a person feel that way? To be so completely intoxicated, to have their whole body tingle with this... This maddening desire that consumes them and to have no control over it either."
She questioned sounding agitated. Ron knew that it was never in Hermione's nature to be so forward in situations such as these and although he did wonder what had gotten into her lately, he had to admit... He was loving it. Ron stood rubbing his hands up and down her thighs and smiling at her with happy eyes.
"If it's any consolation I feel the same. That maddening desire you mentioned, I get that too. I can hardly eat or sleep, it has taken over my life. (Hermione raised her eyebrows at that comment and he looked instantly sheepish) Well when I say I can't eat that's not really true and the sleep thing... Uh well that's not true either but, I mean I do dream about you every night without fail and I constantly think about you and daydream about you most of the day so I'd say I'm pretty up there with you... On the craving front anyway."
Hermione shook her head and giggled at her cute boyfriend.
"So you don't think it's strange to be so clingy?"
She asked looking unsure.
"Do you see me complaining?"
He said seductively, running a stray finger along her collarbone.
"Ron I'm being serious, it's like I can't be away from you for a second. Don't you think that's weird?"
She sounded exasperated as she batted his trailing finger away.
"No I don't (he paused a second here and sighed out her name) Hermione I love you and you love me, that's it. There's nothing wrong with wanting to be around each other more than other people. It's only natural after all the time we spent pretending we were just friends. I'm so glad were not pretending anymore cause it means I get to do this (he accentuated the this with a short kiss to her lips) anytime I want."
He grinned at his own terminology and leaned in again, planting a longer kiss there.
She blushed a little as he pulled away, the closeness of their situation and Ron's sweet words making her whole body heat up. She ran her hands over his chest, beaming at him and said;
"How do you always manage to make me feel better?"
"Easy."
He replied simply and couldn't resist moving in again, grinning he captured her lips with his whilst his hands explored her thick caramel locks. She smiled into it and reciprocated with pleasure, running her hands all over his back. Their tight embrace was soon becoming just as heated as before and just as Ron's hands had found their way under the hem of Hermione's top, his mother shouted up the stairs that dinner was ready. This caused them to suddenly break apart, worried that Molly was actually outside the door ready to catch them red handed.
They both stared at the door waiting for Ron's mother to come through it, prepared to spring back and act nonchalant if needed but when nothing happened they both breathed a sigh of relief. Ron looked back at Hermione a moment before she too turned to face him and they smiled at each other, a little breathless from their previous ministrations. She moved her arms back up to his neck while his hands began to gently stroke her back.
"We should probably go or mum 'll wonder what we were up to."
He spoke sounding dejected and annoyed that they had been interrupted. Hermione groaned sadly, burying her face in his chest and asked pleadingly;
"Do we have to?"
"Afraid so love. If we don't she'll come up and fetch us and you can guess how well that would turn out."
He chuckled as he ran that scene through in his head while running his hands over her back. He begrudgingly moved back, holding out his hands for her to take and she accepted them with a smile, hopping down onto the thinning carpet where Ron immediately pulled her to him and encased her within his arms. She giggled at the sudden shift and stared up at him with big, adoring eyes.
"Hermione if your worrying that if we spend all this time together that I'll suddenly get bored or tired or something, don't. That could never happen. It's what I look forward to most when I wake up. Seeing your beautiful face smile up at me, hearing you call my name in that sexy voice of yours that breaks down all my defences (he said this with a devilish grin and rubbed their noses together) holding your perfect soft hands that fit so exactly in mine. I couldn't live without that stuff... I couldn't live without you love."
An adorable, genuinely happy smile spread over his face as he spoke and he leaned in planting a gentle kiss on her lips.
"I couldn't live without you either Ron. I've never felt more completely happy than I do when I'm with you. I love you so much."
She beamed at him, mirroring his infatuated expression and moved back in for another searing kiss. Ron's moved his lips off of hers, turning his attention to her ear and neck, leaving short wet kisses in their wake. Ron purposely lavished extra attention to the sensitive part of skin just under her ear that he had discovered at the ball some months before and it elicited another delightful sound from Hermione as well as a small laugh. Moments later he had found her mouth again and they both grinned into the kiss at Ron's devious move before letting desire take over again. They pulled away a minute or two later, both needing some air and Hermione snuggled into his chest, sighing contentedly as Ron tightened his arms round her, planting a kiss to the top of her head and replied belatedly;
"I love you too."
A moment later he lessened his hold and moved out of her personal space.
"We should really go down now, I don't fancy another lecture on couples etiquette just yet."
He said, accentuating the 'couples etiquette' so that he sounded more like his mother than himself.
"Okay."
She stated simply, taking his proffered hand and he wrenched his creaky old door open to find that they were not the only ones falling behind as Harry, who had just descended the first few stairs, turned to look at them.
"Hey guys... I thought you'd already be down there, what with Ron's bottomless pit of a stomach and all."
Harry said cheekily at his two best friends but on seeing their bashful exteriors, started to grin madly.
"Enjoying a bit of alone time were we?"
He asked raising his eyebrows suggestively while still smiling broadly.
"Yes if you must know, but not in the way your dirty mind is implying."
Hermione spoke haughtily, crossing her arms and trying to seem indifferent to his slur of their characters, only betrayed by the blush that was ever present on her cheeks.
"Hermione you can fain innocence till your blue in the face but unless you manage to flatten your hair and calm the redness on Ron's ears, your fooling no one."
He countered smugly knowing she had no defense now. Instinctively she unfolded her arms and ran her hands through her hair as Ron began rubbing at his ears thinking he could somehow make the redness go away. Harry chuckled at them, shaking his head and turned back to continue walking.
"Come on, before your mum eats us."
He laughed out and waved his hand forward, gesturing for them to follow. They did so promptly, like naughty school children following their teacher and stopped just outside the kitchen, looking back and forth between each other before Harry placed a nervous hand on the door and slowly pushed it open, revealing a mass of red hair, a ton of delicious looking and smelling food and a surprisingly calm looking Molly Weasley.
:X:
Christmas at the Burrow was always a time everyone looked forward to. It was bustling and crowded when the entire Weasley clan came visiting. Harry was sharing with Ron in his attic room, sleeping on the same comfy old bed as always. Every part of the house was adorned with the same beautiful vintage decorations.
The freshly chopped down tree stood large and proud in the bay window illuminated by a string of over 200 lights in all shades of colour and all the Weasley stockings, including two newly handmade additions with the names Harry and Hermione neatly sewn on were hanging diligently across the old brick fireplace.
Hermione knew though that the best thing about Christmas with the Weasley's wasn't the hurried gathering of family, the decorations or even the smell of Molly's cooking, but the every minute spent with Ron. Watching him, listening to him, kissing him... Merlin did she love kissing him. Christmas was their time, they could walk about holding hands, lounge together around the house and for once, be in each others company without constantly bickering and no one would bat an eyelid.
Yeah, maybe the twins would find ways to turn these things into jokes or bigger deals than they actually were but for once it didn't bother Ron or Hermione because the only people that mattered were each other. Thought they were completely consumed by thoughts of one another, they couldn't help but be happy to be home with Ron's family and on the evening of Christmas eve after a long game of quidditch in the garden with harry and his brothers Ron took a shower then wandered off to go and look for Hermione. He knocked on the door to the girls bedroom but on receiving no reply figured she must be downstairs. When the kitchen turned up nil as well he decided to check the living room.
As he opened the door he was whistling a faint tune with his hands buried in his jean pockets. As soon he saw her he stopped, frozen in the doorway, the tune he'd been whistling dying on his lips and he had to remind himself to breath as he took in the vision that befell his piercing blue eyes. Hermione was curled up on the sofa, her face glowing in the firelight and she had adopted Ron's jumper that his mother had made him. Her hair was braided in her staple plait with the flames of the fire igniting every streak of colour and tone that ran through it, making each curl and wave seem even more stunning.
She was lost in another book, a chunky hardback novel with lots of long chapters and impossibly small lettering. He loved how her expression would change depending on whatever was occurring in the story. At that moment her mouth had formed a cute little smile and a slight blush stained her cheeks, most likely (he figured) because there was something romantic going on. Ron grinned at the sight of his girlfriend who was acting as though the story were real and she was one of the lead roles. Hermione was entirely too engrossed to pay any mind to who had walked in but on feeling a pair of eyes boring into her she looked up from her book and when she met Ron's intent gaze she found herself brimming with happiness and love.
He suddenly had the urge to have her as close to him as possible so he walked over to the settee and sat down next to her, pulling her over to him. Even after all this time, he still couldn't believe that she was his. His to touch and to kiss and to love. He longed to kiss her now and he could see the look of submission in her eyes. He leaned in and left short, sweet kisses on her neck and across her face until he found her lips. Hermione reciprocated with pleasure, folding her book and stuffing it next to her. She kissed back passionately and soon they were battling for power. They were so worked up in so short a time that when they pulled apart they were both heaving for breath.
"What was that for?"
She asked, a little dazed by his actions.
"Cus I never thought anyone could look good wearing a Weasley jumper and you just proved me wrong. You look so bloody sexy that I think you might just finish me off."
He said with an appreciating once over of her whole body. A blush spread up her neck to her cheeks at his words and the intensity in his gaze was so distracting that she could barely think straight.
"I figured you wouldn't mind if I borrowed it."
She smiled coyly, still feeling hot under his gaze.
"Bloody certain I don't mind, you look so good right now I could just eat you up."
As he said this he moved slowly towards her again, his alluring behaviour definitely not helping the apparent obsession she had with the gorgeous red head and she tried with effort to stay mute to his charms. That is until he was about half an inch away from her face, smiling devilishly and staring deep into her eyes. The second she felt his hot breath on her lips, she surged forward pinning hers to his and took his face in her hands, holding him there. They stayed that way for a minute but then she pulled back, glaring at him and berating herself.
"You know that's not fair don't you?"
She asked pouting a little because his lips we no longer occupying hers. Ron's ever present smile merged into a grin on seeing her expression and he teasingly replied;
"Oh I know. I just love to see you all hot and bothered... That's all."
"I put this thing on (she stretched the hem of the jumper as she spoke) in an attempt to control my longing for you while you went to play Quidditch."
She said this sounding exasperated that her attempt had clearly failed.
"How's that working for you love?"
He laughed this question out as he already knew the answer.
"You know perfectly well (she poked his side playfully at this) I was doing just fine with your clothing as a substitute, then you had to go and ruin it all by being so damn irresistible."
She said with a hint of annoyance at being done over but smiled nonetheless.
"So I'm irresistible huh? How about if I do this..."
He trailed off placing his hand on the top of her leg and caressing her inner thigh slowly before running the same hand up and over her waist, ghosting a single finger between her bust before flirting momentarily with the edge of the jumpers neckline and then coming to soothe the back of her neck and run into her hair, massaging her scalp. He was doing all this very, very slowly and as he did so Hermione was trying desperately to repel the intense euphoric tingle that Ron's touch provoked but as she picked up the book and attempted to begin reading again the words all seemed to merge together forming one very short, very apt word. Want.
In her mind she cursed his hands and him about a thousand times for being so unshakable but still couldn't supress the 'Ummmmm' that escaped her lips or the words reiterated from earlier;
"Now who's got good hands?"
Ron smile grew even wider at the small moan elicited from her mouth and he doubled his efforts trailing his hand from her hair, reversing the journey it had taken earlier.
"Now that's really not fair... Hhhmmmm Ron your an arsehole."
Ordinarily when Hermione came out with a word like arsehole it was in the middle of a heated argument and Ron would be highly offended, or seem it anyway. Now it was different though because the way it was spoken had a softness to it. Ron could tell that she was joking and it made him laugh to hear it.
As Ron's hand came to rest where it had started on the top of her thigh he decided to take potty on Hermione's poor nerves and changed the subject by enquiring;
"Whattcha reading?''
''Oh, ginny lent me one of her novels. I thought I'd do a little reading.''
She replied showing him the cover.
Ron couldn't help but shake his head and laugh, all she ever did was read. He thought maybe she'd of relented a little during the holiday's but clearly he was mistaken.
''What?"
She asked looking confused.
"Hermione your such a nerd."
He replied still laughing.
She looked momentarily offended.
"I'am not!"
"Come on love, who else sits reading during Christmas holidays? Your suppose to have fun and enjoy yourself."
He replied.
"Well... I am having fun and enjoying myself and it never hurts to do a little reading. Plus it doesn't class you as a nerd, it just means you have a thirst for knowledge."
She said huffing as she turned away from his gaze. Ron put his hand under her chin and gently pulled her head round to face him. Hermione tried her best to look angry but couldn't keep it up for long as Ron smiled at her and pulled her over and onto his lap so that she sat sideways on, her shorter legs dangling over his longer ones.
Without taking his eyes off hers, Ron intertwined their fingers. They kept eye contact for a while, Ron feeling how amazing it was to look at her and have her look back with such love and adoration, his spare hand caressing her cheek softly. He pulled her down with him so that they lay together with Hermione snuggled into his side.
Her hand began tracing patterns over his chest before moving up his neck to touch his cheek. Just as her fingers were ghosting the edge of his mouth he captured them between his lips and gently caressed them with his tongue. He heard her gasp a little and grinned, waggling his eyebrows round. She giggled and sat up, moving to straddle his waist. By this time tendrils of her unruly hair had loosened from her meticulous French braid and fell around her face. He bought his hand up and brushed some back behind her ear, then let his fingers run down her cheek to her navel and then across her chest, flirting with the neckline of the jumper once more.
He knew all too well how this kind of closeness excited her and he grinned, feeling the same sensation run through his entire body. He watched her as she closed her eyes and a small sigh escaped her lips. He loved those little noises that his touch provoked and he leaned up, capturing her mouth with his own and smiled into it, letting his hands move a little further. She weaved her fingers through his hair and kissed him back hungrily, pressing harder into his hips and causing him to moan as well.
Ron loved Hermione's hands on his body and his skin tingled with the feeling of her touch. The gap between them had fully closed now as he pulled her down to lay on top of him. Somewhere in the back of his mind, Ron heard his better self telling him that kissing like this whilst roaming with his hands was a bad idea (well in terms of getting too carried away) and he knew he ought to stop before that did happen but Hermione was just too perfect right now. The taste of her lips and feel of her body pressed to his was too good to give up. Much as they both tried, they couldn't pull away and instead deepened the kiss, leaning into one another more than they had before.
Eventually they pulled apart for air and Ron whispered to her softly;
"It's much better like this, huh?"
"Hmmmmm."
Was all she could muster at the feel of his touch. It was as if he had cast a spell over her. Even when they weren't together she could still feel him in every sense. After gazing longingly at one another for a moment Ron spoke again.
"Hermione, you know... It doesn't bother me that you love books. In fact I think I'd start to worry if I ever saw you without one. Also being a nerd isn't a bad thing, like you said, so you shouldn't be offended."
He slowly stroked her back up and down, smiling sweetly.
"I know it isn't bad it just makes it sound like that's all I'am, a now-it-all bookworm."
She said sounding dejected.
"I wouldn't say that's all you are."
He replied frowning.
"You wouldn't."
She sounded hopeful.
"Hermione anyone with half a brain can see that your not just a bookworm, just look at everything we've been through. I mean me and Harry probably wouldn't even be here if it weren't for you and (he stopped for a moment thinking) well, if anyone tried to say otherwise... I guess I'd have to kill them."
Hermione giggled and rested herself on his chest as he continued to stroke her back, now in a slow circular motion.
"You'd really kill someone for that?"
"Course, no one hurts my Mione."
He jested.
"My Mione."
She leaned up smirking with slight mocking in her voice.
"Yeah and?... I think it's endearing. You are my Mione... Well in the sense that your my girlfriend anyway. I just think it works, but I mean if you don't like it..."
He trailed off giving a sheepish look.
"Of course I like it I've just never heard you say it, that's all."
She said trying to reassure him.
"Suppose I never had a good enough reason to before, now I do of course."
"And what's that?"
She asked knowingly.
"Only that I have the most bloody brilliant girlfriend in the whole world and I want everyone to know about it."
He spoke proudly.
"And you don't mind if I'm a complete nerd?"
She asked scrunching her nose.
"Hermione... Who else is going to do my homework for me?"
He joked and kissed her before she could answer back. Starting out gently but deepening as they went on, Ron moved to sit up straight and Hermione followed, sitting so that she was facing him on his lap. They barely let their lips part as they positioned themselves and their hands kept on exploring one another. He moved his kisses from her lips to her neck and she gladly let him, running her hands over his strong chest and through his fiery hair.
They stayed that way for a while, love fuelling the passion that had overcome them but were suddenly interrupted by Harry bursting through the door.
"Gin are you... Oh, uh sorry guy's I had no idea you'd be in here, I was just looking for Ginny... Uh, I'll be going now. Yeah uh... Bye."
Harry stuttered nervously as he quickly left the room almost slamming the door. They sat staring at the spot where harry had just been then both started to laugh as Ron said;
"I don't think Harry 'll ever enter a room again without knocking first."
"Definitely not, the look on his face was priceless."
Hermione replied through fits of giggles. Their almost uncontrollable laughter eventually died down to a few short heaves and they sat grinning at each other, Hermione still sitting on his lap. Despite the interruption she could still see the desire burning in Ron's eyes as he bought his hand up, running his thumb along her lower lip before leaving a short kiss there. Hermione closed her eyes savouring his slow and gentle movements, such a contrast to the hungry actions that had overtaken them just moments ago.
She had never felt such strong emotions before, Ron was compassionate and he made her feel like the most beautiful girl in the world. Hermione had already planned what her life would be like, what she would do when they left Hogwarts, where she would live. Her life was mapped out like a boring, predictable book. But now it dawned on her that tomorrow no longer mattered, only here and now. She leaned forward planting one more lustful kiss on his lips then... Resting their foreheads together, closed their eyes while both willing time to stand still so that they would always be in this moment.
Slowly he wrapped his strong arm's around her back and pulled her in until there was no space between them. She reciprocated by wrapping hers round his shoulders and pressed her face into the crook of his neck and they held each other in silence.
Ron broke it though as he whispered.
"I love you Mione."
Into her ear.
She kissed his neck and whispered back;
"I love you too Ron."
As they both tightened their hold on one another and sighed happily in unison both blissfully content. They fell asleep on that settee, Ron laying stretched out with Hermione snuggled close on top. His arm's were wrapped tightly around her back, his strong chest supporting hers and he had the faintest of smiles on his lips, as if he were dreaming the best dream of his life.
:X:
It was about 8 o'clock in the morning when they finally woke up and they were in pretty much the same position that they had fallen asleep in. Ron was lying on the couch on his back with his head propped up by one of the large floor cushions. He slowly blinked his eyes open and smiled as he caught sight of his girlfriend draped over him. Her face was looking to the right with her ear flat against his chest and she was sleeping peacefully, her gentle breathing in and out almost perfectly in sync with Ron's.
He didn't want to disturb her but was overcome with a longing to see her look at him with that same smouldering gaze as always, so he gently slid his hands up her arm's to her back in a slow gentle motion, making small patterns over her top before linking them across her back in a hug. The sensation caused goosebumps to raise all over her body and she stirred a little and let out an approving 'mmmmm' sound as he tightened his grip a little, loving the feel of her warm body against his and wondered how it was that she fit so perfectly in his arm's.
Ron lay there a moment trying to remember how they had come to wake up in the living room, before his mind slowly filled with memories of their long make out session the night before and he smiled to himself. After a few minutes of pleasurable reminiscing Hermione shifted again breaking Ron from his daydream and yawned widley. She then proceeded to stretch her arm's and legs and arch her back inwards looking for all the world like a recently awoken kitten then cuddled closer into his chest. Ron gave a low chuckled as she slowly blinked her eyes open and lifted her head, resting her chin on his chest, beaming a sleepy smile at him. He began to gently rub her back again and she closed her eyes, humming as his touch coursed through her veins, awakening all her senses.
"Hey."
She said, her voice raw and fresh.
"Hi, how'd you sleep?"
He responded with an adoring look.
"Like a baby, and you?"
She enquired.
"Pretty good considering."
He grinned.
She looked confused and inquisitive.
"What do you mean considering?"
"Well, you are kind of heavy you know."
Hermione suddenly looked offended.
"I am not heavy, you take that back!"
She pouted and crossed her arms, burrowing her head into them. He looked at her smiling and shaking his head, amused at how easily riled up she was.
"I'm sorry love, I didn't mean it... Really, I was only joking. Come on look at me. (He tried to lift her head up, but failed) Hermione I know you can't stay that way for long. I'm just too cute to Stay mad at."
She tried to continue ignoring him but she knew that (like Ron said) she couldn't keep it up for long and so she looked back up at him. Ron smiled at her, uncrossed her arm's and placed them above his head and pulled her up so that their faces were level.
"You're too adorable."
He mused, still chuckling. She giggled and leaned in to kiss him, burrowing her arms firmly around his neck. After a while he broke the kiss to look at her, something he loved doing. Ron couldn't get enough of looking at her, she was... To him the most heavenly thing to ever walk the earth and he relished the thought of being the only person able to look at her that way. They stared at each other for a while, both with happiness darting their eyes and silly smiles, before Hermione said,
"Merry christmas Ron"
and he uttered back,
"Merry Christmas love"
and they shared one last loving kiss.